By Kate Lockyer
At the prospect of an Olympic stadium being built over the green space in Victoria Park / Barrambin, Spring Hill resident Dr Joan Jacobi was once again ready to fight for the “green heart of Brisbane”.
“For the last 45 years, I have twice daily walked in Victoria Park and fought for its preservation. The news to use it for the Olympics will cause permanent loss of green space, of unique topography, trees and habitat,” Ms Jacobi said.
“It is environmental vandalism at its worst and Brisbane will live to regret the loss of this green heart of Brisbane if it is allowed to be destroyed forever.”
Recently, the independent review into the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic sport venue infrastructure, headed by former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, recommended a new oval stadium in Victoria Park.
To Ms Jacobi’s relief, the Queensland Government immediately dismissed this recommendation and instead has proposed investigating upgrades to the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC) and Suncorp Stadium, and a “more modest enhancement” of the Gabba.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles said: “…while the concept of a new stadium at Victoria Park has merit, the uncertainty around final cost means it is unfortunately not an option.”
Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace met with Ms Jacobi to discuss the government’s decision against the new stadium.
Minister Grace promised her: “As long as I am Minister, I won’t let it happen.”
Ms Grace acknowledged several other issues with the proposal apart from the cost, which is estimated at $3 – $3.4 billion.
She said the terrain of the park is quite hilly, which creates accessibility issues, the stadium would still be some distance from the closest public transport, the Exhibition Station at the showgrounds, and it did not offer a suitable location for a warm-up track.
From the park’s 130ha in 1859, which Governor George Bowen deemed the “lungs of the city”, within decades infrastructure including the hospital, universities, schools, a golf course, and more were built on Victoria Park, reducing it to about 18ha.
In 2021, the closure of the golf course increased the public space in the park to 64ha, which Ms Jacobi said was “more than a breath of fresh air”.
She said it is crucial to preserve this uniquely large piece of land, not only to create a habitat for birds and wildlife, but to provide green space for the increasing population density in surrounding suburbs.
Ms Jacobi has advocated for the preservation of the park since moving to Spring Hill in the 1980s.
